Play It Forward: Ranking the top 10 sports events June 9-15 you won’t want to miss

NO. 1: NHL: STANLEY CUP FINAL:

GAME 3: KINGS at N.Y. RANGERS

Details/TV: Monday at 5 p.m., NBCSN:

Your L.A. Cockroaches really are starting to bug a lot of folks. Maybe you can pick it up on the NBC broadcast from the New York-based commentators who always search for how the Rangers can’t get a break here, need to find a way to fight back there. Ever consider a can of Raid instead of a stick and blocker in the hands of Henrik Lundqvist at this point? “Cannot kill the Kings,” tweeted out sports-talk show host Jim Rome on Saturday, followed by “#Cockroaches.” It’s as simple as that, and the sentiment goes back to the Kings-Blackhawks Western Conference final. Actually, when the Kings came back to tie series at one win apiece. Columnist Cam Cole of the National Post, Canada’s English-language newspaper in Toronto, wrote: “Who are these guys ... who refuse to be eliminated, who fall behind but resist all attempts to get rid of them? Why, they are Las Cucarachas, the cockroaches of the National Hockey League postseason. Hardy, deceptively fast, pesky, stubborn, resourceful, capable of swarm behaviour, known for group-based decision making, able to survive decapitation ... OK, maybe not that last one.” Again, this was before they out-resisted the Blackhawks in seven games and followed it up by overcoming 2-0 first-period deficits in Games 1 and 2 at Staples Center to take this ridiculous 2-0 series lead heading to New York, where cockroaches seem to thrive. Look at it this way. If the Kings go through another seven-game series and actually win, they’ll have a playoff record of 16-12. The only thing close to this was the 2011 Boston Bruins, who went 16-9 before winning their title. The Kings would match that if they swept the Rangers, based on already having lost nine games in the first three rounds. But surviving.

The series continues:

Game 4 at New York, Wednesday at 5 p.m., NBCSN

Game 5 at Staples Center, 5 p.m., Friday, Ch. 4

NO. 2: GOLF: 114th U.S. OPEN

Details/TV: At Pinehurst, N.C., Thursday-Sunday, ESPN, Ch. 4:

Here’s some non-insider information for you: Don’t bank on Phil Mickelson hoisting any trophies here. Not just because he’s gotten himself sucked into this FBI and Securities Exchange Commission probe about insider trading. He’s just not playing well lately and the added eyes that might be on him for this major aren’t going to help. “If you look at Mickelson’s career, when the focus has ever really truly been on Phil he’s always struggled,” ESPN analyst Paul Azinger said. “When he’s trying to win the U.S. Open or when he’s trying to become No. 1 in the world or whatever it is, it’s always been difficult for him. So when he’s spotlighted, it seems to never go completely like he wants or like it’s expected. When he kind of slips in under the radar, things are always better. I personally don’t think it’s good for him at any level.” Justin Rose comes in as defending champion, and there hasn’t been a repeat of the U.S. Open winner since Curtis Strange did it in 1988 and ’89 — 25 years ago. Meanwhile, back in 2005, the last time this major was held at this course, New Zealand’s Michael Campbell held off Tiger Woods to win by two strokes. A lingering ankle injury and other personal issues will prevent Campbell from returning to the event. Back surgery will prevent Woods, a three-time U.S. Open champ, from showing up as well.

NO. 3: SOCCER: FIFA WORLD CUP OPENER

BRAZIL vs. CROATIA

Details/TV: In Sao Paulo, Brazil; Thursday at 1 p.m., ESPN:

The Americans have to wait five days before they get to play, so why not get an early start on things by watching the first of 64 games to be played, this by the host country, leading up to the July 13 finale. These are the two teams expected to come out of Group A, with Mexico and Cameroon (playing Friday at 9 a.m., ESPN2) as the two who would get left behind. The other intriguing match-up of the first weekend is from Group B, where Spain meets the Netherlands (Friday at noon, ESPN), a rematch of the 2010 final when Spain emerged with a 1-0 victory.

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More highlights for the weekend:

Colombia vs. Greece, Saturday at 9 a.m., Channel 7

Uruguay vs. Costa Rica, Saturday at noon, Channel 7

England vs. Italy, Saturday at 3 p.m., ESPN

Switzerland vs. Ecuador, Sunday at 9 a.m., Channel 7

France vs. Honduras, Sunday at noon, Channel 7

NO. 4: NBA FINALS:

GAME 3: SAN ANTONIO at MIAMI

Details/TV: 6 p.m., Tuesday, Ch. 7:

If you’re looking for a reference point here, the Heat handed the Spurs a 113-101 trouncing in Miami in late January, their only meeting on LeBron James’ home court during the regular season. “Did that feel like the finals? No, it did not feel like the finals,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said about the 2013 championship rematch, even though no one asked the question. For the record, the Spurs were without three starters that day. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter sat because of injuries.

The series continues:

Game 4 at Miami, 6 p.m., Thursday, Ch. 7

Game 5 at San Antonio, 5 p.m., Sunday, Ch. 7

NO. 5: MLB: DODGERS vs. ARIZONA:

Details/TV: At Dodger Stadium, Friday-Sunday, SportsNet L.A.:

Dad, wanna have a catch? The series concludes with a sports bag giveaway on Father’s Day, followed by the opportunity for sons and daughters to throw the ball around with pops afterward on the outfield grass. Please, sign the waiver form and just do it.

The series: Friday and Saturday, 7:10 p.m.; Sunday at 1:10 p.m.

NO. 6: MLB: DODGERS at CINCINNATI:

Details/TV: Monday-Thursday, ESPN and SportsNet L.A:

Now it looks like the Dodgers recently winning two of three against the Reds at Dodger Stadium was something of an accomplishment. Clayton Kershaw, on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision in the series finale, misses his turn in this four-game marathon.

NO. 7: MLB: ANGELS vs. OAKLAND:

Details/TV: At Angel Stadium, Monday-Wednesday, FSW:

Amidst all the parity in baseball today, there is the Oakland A’s who, “even more than the Giants, are the one team in baseball without an obvious weakness,” ESPN “SweetSpot” senior writer David Schoenfield wrote. His opinion came not long after Oakland finished a three-game sweep at home over the Angels by a combined score of 26-11.

The series:

Each game at 7:05 p.m.

NO. 8: MLB: ANGELS at ATLANTA:

Details/TV: Friday-Sunday, FSW, Fox, ESPN:

In their long history of playing each other — three times each in 2005, 2008 and 2011 — the Angels have won five out of the nine. But it’s just not the same going all that way to Georgia and not seeing Chipper Jones.

NO. 10: COLLEGE BASEBALL:

Six-time CWS winner Texas (43-19) is headed to Omaha for the 35th time, more than any other school, after missing the NCAA tournament altogether the previous two years. Augie Garrido’s Longhorns open up against UC Irvine (40-23), coached by Mike Gillespie, who has done nicely for himself since USC decided they didn’t need him any longer as their head coach. Smart move, eh? The double-elimination tournament to crown the NCAA champ runs through June 25.